I made some improvisational quilted placemats many years ago and it was fun to create them. Currently I’m quilting a Sunbonnet Sue top my grandmother pieced about 50 years ago. Totally not my aesthetic but I’m
Making it so (sew) by quilting poetry and words and Antiracist reflections into the blank fields around each girl. So, yeah—political.
I LOVE THIS! will you share photos of it with me when you're done? I really want to see it. What a powerful way to complete your grandmother's top, making it something you both created. And it's shocking to me that 50 years ago was 1975, gulp.
I haaaaaaaate "quilt patterns." There, I said it out loud. I'm not an avid quilter in part because doing hours and hours and hours of the exact. same. piecing feels puguatorial to me, however, the ~non-traditional~ quilts, the ones with a surprise twist or a *twitch* (or a heartbreaking and poignant plea lettered in Spencerian hand in the center!) are thrilling and inspiring and make me want to quilt, but, like, *my way.* Ha!
haha, I hear you. I'm sympathetic with all the people who love them and find peace and comfort in using them, but I've never been a person who follows rules or recipes. A lifetime of winging it! If you have any interest in quilt making I highly recommend the improv workshops run by Sherri Lynn Wood, https://www.sherrilynnwood.com. They're extremely fun and very liberating. Her book is great too. She's been a huge influence on my work. It doesn't have to be horrible! lol
Oh my, we do seem to be kindred spirits. I too love old films. In fact
My children used to state that “my mother never watches anything in color”.😂 Bette Davis has had some great roles in her career, but I think “Now Voyager” is one of my favorites. Paul Henreid is also one of my favorite actors and was very active in human rights. He was an extremely good actor and he even dabbled in directing. I think his German accent (although he was Austrian and actually born in Italy) kept him from being a super star of the day, but he had so much talent! Anyway… I love you “found” quilt and the hand quilting really does add some great texture. Blocking does help to get things to lie flat. So glad it worked for you. One thing I do if I lose my “crinkle” is to spritz the top and throw it in the dryer on high heat for 5 minutes. The squareness stays the same but it adds a bit of texture. Have a super day!
Another fan of that film! It's just so good. While it's not Bette Davis, "The Heiress" is another movie I can watch over and over again. And that's a great tip about adding back in the crinkle. I'll try it!
When I read your posts, I feel like I'm listening to a long time friend. I wish you were my neighbor! (And not just because you'd save my butt in a catastrophe, though that helps! 😂)
Wow. I loved seeing and hearing your thoughts about the Cherished Quilt. What a treasure, lesson and document!
right? I had no idea! it's inspired me to do more research into quilt history
I made some improvisational quilted placemats many years ago and it was fun to create them. Currently I’m quilting a Sunbonnet Sue top my grandmother pieced about 50 years ago. Totally not my aesthetic but I’m
Making it so (sew) by quilting poetry and words and Antiracist reflections into the blank fields around each girl. So, yeah—political.
I LOVE THIS! will you share photos of it with me when you're done? I really want to see it. What a powerful way to complete your grandmother's top, making it something you both created. And it's shocking to me that 50 years ago was 1975, gulp.
Yes, I will share photos of it with you. It may be months! But I can share some of the squares as they develop.
Love your quilts and your words.
Thank you!
I haaaaaaaate "quilt patterns." There, I said it out loud. I'm not an avid quilter in part because doing hours and hours and hours of the exact. same. piecing feels puguatorial to me, however, the ~non-traditional~ quilts, the ones with a surprise twist or a *twitch* (or a heartbreaking and poignant plea lettered in Spencerian hand in the center!) are thrilling and inspiring and make me want to quilt, but, like, *my way.* Ha!
haha, I hear you. I'm sympathetic with all the people who love them and find peace and comfort in using them, but I've never been a person who follows rules or recipes. A lifetime of winging it! If you have any interest in quilt making I highly recommend the improv workshops run by Sherri Lynn Wood, https://www.sherrilynnwood.com. They're extremely fun and very liberating. Her book is great too. She's been a huge influence on my work. It doesn't have to be horrible! lol
Oh my, we do seem to be kindred spirits. I too love old films. In fact
My children used to state that “my mother never watches anything in color”.😂 Bette Davis has had some great roles in her career, but I think “Now Voyager” is one of my favorites. Paul Henreid is also one of my favorite actors and was very active in human rights. He was an extremely good actor and he even dabbled in directing. I think his German accent (although he was Austrian and actually born in Italy) kept him from being a super star of the day, but he had so much talent! Anyway… I love you “found” quilt and the hand quilting really does add some great texture. Blocking does help to get things to lie flat. So glad it worked for you. One thing I do if I lose my “crinkle” is to spritz the top and throw it in the dryer on high heat for 5 minutes. The squareness stays the same but it adds a bit of texture. Have a super day!
Another fan of that film! It's just so good. While it's not Bette Davis, "The Heiress" is another movie I can watch over and over again. And that's a great tip about adding back in the crinkle. I'll try it!
When I read your posts, I feel like I'm listening to a long time friend. I wish you were my neighbor! (And not just because you'd save my butt in a catastrophe, though that helps! 😂)
Thank you Kai! that's the best compliment ever! 🧡